8mm thick wetsuit? did I miss something?

[PhatD1ver]

Okay, I'm guessing I might never want to go with 7/8mm based on this picture... seriously?

that is some thick stuff, I guess I always thought of the 7mm as a insulation rating, not so much an actual wall thickness... I am not looking far less happy about going to Catalina

I don't know how I'll even get back on the boat, my frickin knees won't bend, they'll need a crane

 

[CT Sean]

A. 7mm (or 5 or 3 etc..) is the actual thickness of the neoprene.
B. That looks way thicker than 7 or 8 mm (or those are tiny arm or leg openings)

 

[greatlakeswreckdiver]

Hope it is cheap because if a person gets into it...they will need to be cut out. That is some THICK stuff. I can't imagine trying to dedon that.

 

[Steve_C]

Depends on the material. My normal cold water wet suit is a 7mm hyperflex. No problem with mobility in water or getting on boat or walking to shore.

I have dove in a 10/14 in Vancouver. Again no problems because the material was flexible. Probably because it was an old renter.

 

[maniago]

Okay, I'm guessing I might never want to go with 7/8mm based on this picture... seriously?

that is some thick stuff, I guess I always thought of the 7mm as a insulation rating, not so much an actual wall thickness... I am not looking far less happy about going to Catalina

I don't know how I'll even get back on the boat, my frickin knees won't bend, they'll need a crane

I dive a Aqualung 8/7 solafx and it looks nothing like that ie mine is way thinner.. I'd say you have the wrong picture as that looks more like survival suit stuff to me...

 

[drbill]

Back in 1957 (IGY) one of my college professors dove Antarctica wet in a 13mmm suit

 

[AfterDark]

I dove Sunday with my 2mm vest 7mm Farmer John bottoms and 7mm step in jacket for a total of 16mm around my torso. Unbearable on the surface, toasty warm in 53F water.

 

[PhatD1ver]

well, it is the Chinese, you know the real 'science' behind some things functional does escape them when they first start copying and reproducing things... but it might just be as mentioned, this is made for someone with thin legs compared to my giant frame, so maybe the neoprene looks imposing..

I did find out I can get an 8mm neoprene dry suit custom made with the LP valve and dump port for only 2400 RMB ($375 USD).. not a bad price... I'm a ways off from needing such a monster, but I'm going to the factory later this summer to check it all out.

 

[fjpatrum]

well, it is the Chinese, you know the real 'science' behind some things functional does escape them when they first start copying and reproducing things... but it might just be as mentioned, this is made for someone with thin legs compared to my giant frame, so maybe the neoprene looks imposing..

I did find out I can get an 8mm neoprene dry suit custom made with the LP valve and dump port for only 2400 RMB ($375 USD).. not a bad price... I'm a ways off from needing such a monster, but I'm going to the factory later this summer to check it all out.

Buy it while you can,unless you're planning on staying in Shanghai and it will be easy to get the same deal. Every time I go overseas I end up buying custom made clothes and other items because it's so much cheaper (and better fitting) than buying off the rack.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

7mm is what used to be called in the "old days" a 1/4 inch wetsuit. Strictly speaking 7mm is slightly thicker than 1/4 inch. Any thing greater than 7mm is starting to get pretty thick and probably starting to get pretty stiff. If you really need something thicker than an 7mm FJ wetsuit, then it is time to consider a dry suit.